"Stuff"

When Does Revelation Begin to Sound Like Complaining?

This is a question I have been bouncing around in my brain since I arrived, as things that are "different" or "challenging" began to reveal themselves. But, as my friend, Amila, pointed out to me once, it all hinges on expectations. I arrived in Jeonju with few expectations, and those were simply around the fact that I would have shelter and a job. After that, it was only going to be what I made of it.

So, with this blog, I want to say that I am going to take the chance that revelation will not sound like complaining. This might help you understand why I didn't send pictures and have been dodging a lot of questions.

• Yes, I didn't send pictures of the apartment. I told some of you to think of me as "camping" within my apartment. On the positive, it was bigger than I expected and I am really grateful that I am safe and to have cozy heating in my floor. However, the heat is only in the living/bedroom. Kitchen and bathroom are cold and hot, depending upon the season. I share a 2nd floor outside stairway landing with a neighbor which is nothing but filthy. I have asked and asked for this to be cleaned because I had not way to enjoy the outside with pots of flowers or to sit in the evening, but it just wasn't possible....and too many flies and mosquitoes to have fresh air come in through my open door. Other than being drafty and the fact that the propane heating system for my building has been venting into my apartment, I can deal. I even think I got the propane problem fixed today by using grocery bags as "stuffing" in some spaces. AND


• Yes, I didn't send pictures of the school. You know that this is the first "for-profit" group for whom I have ever worked (yes! even after all these years!). And I can only assume that the things that are lacking go to the need to keep the profit coming. Candy, at the school, has done a wonderful job of keeping things as clean as possible, but the building, 4 stories, I think, has no heat. Our waiting room is very light and pleasant, and our rooms have had flooring replaced. And, yes, there is no heat in our building, consequently, no hot water for staff or kids to wash their hands and no heat in any of our rooms. Propane heaters were used in our rooms in years past,but for me, the fumes were just too much. I bought an electric heater and the other teachers asked for those as well. The heaters are small and the kids wear their coats in the classes, but teaching and learning go on!

So, enough! My first six months have passed and I am happily looking forward to the next six. I am staying in Jeonju for far longer than the next six months, unless something else "calls my name". Thanks for understanding my reluctance in providing specifics by way of home and school. Anyone reading this, who expects to teach anywhere abroad, will understand that you take the good with the not-so-good, and make the most of it. It will also help in forming questions that one might have before arriving. How's this one? "Does your school have heat"?

Keep those cards and letters coming!!!